Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has taken his displeasure with the Australian government to a wider audience - re-tweeting in English earlier comments he had made in Indonesian.

In a series of angry missives overnight and on Tuesday, he attacked Prime Minister Tony Abbott's public remarks over the spying scandal as showing insufficient remorse, continuing Jakarta's display of outrage in response to revelations on Monday that his personal mobile phone and those of his close circle had been targeted by Australian spies.

The President’s tweets, initially all in Indonesian and all signed *SBY*, signifying they were from him personally, defended his handling of the situation as some in Indonesia accuse him of going soft on Western powers.

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He then later tweeted comments in English, with a pointed attack on Mr Abbott: ''I also regret the statement of Australian Prime Minister that belittled this tapping matter on Indonesia, without any remorse. *SBY*''

Earlier he had taken a similar swipe at Mr Abbott in Indonesian saying: “I also deplore the statement of the Australian Prime Minister for treating lightly the wiretapping of Indonesia without admitting guilt.”

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The final comment particularly will be a severe blow for Mr Abbott, who has maintained the stance that, in spite of a number of frustrations and diplomatic missteps, the relationship with Indonesia is strong and growing stronger.

He has made it clear he wants that relationship to be among Australia’s strongest.

Other tweets in English said the actions from the US and Australia had ''certainly damaged the strategic partnerships with Indonesia, as fellow democracies'' and said as a consequence of this ''hurtful action'' he would review ''a number of bilateral cooperation agenda''.

He also demanded an ''official response'' from Australia, ''one that can be understood by the public, on the tapping on Indonesia''. He also re-tweeted his decision to withdraw Indonesia's ambassador to Australia as a ''firm diplomatic response''.

''Foreign Minister & gov. officials have taken effective diplomatic measures, while demanding clarification from the US & Australia. *SBY*''

Mr Abbott's spokesman declined to comment on Monday night after Jakarta announced it was recalling its ambassador.

This morning, Mr Abbott repeated more general remarks he made in Parliament yesterday that he would not do or say anything that could jeopardise the crucial relationship with Indonesia.

However, he admitted that "today may not be the best day" in the relationship.

In his series of tweets, Mr Yudhoyono also called on the Australian to "give us an official answer which can be understood by broader Indonesian society about the tapping".

And he declared his government's move to recall its ambassador "a serious diplomatic step".

I also regret the statement of Australian Prime Minister that belittled this tapping matter on Indonesia, without any remorse. *SBY*